MAPUSA: Benny XI Sports Club managed to squeeze past YSC Colvale 2-1 to enter the final of GFA’s 3rd Division play-off, at Duler stadium, here, in Friday.
Colvale lost the match but won the hearts of the large supporters that had assembled at the stadium to cheer their team.
It was Benny XI that went into the breather leading by a 13th minute-goal from the boots of Manthan Parwar.
When the match was just in the second minute Benny XI’s Vikranth Mangueshkar had to leave the field due to a shoulder dislocation.
The Mapusa side that held the upper hand in the first quarter of the match and surged ahead in the 13th minute when Nikesh Mangueshkar sent in a through pass to Manthan Parwar who scored with an adroit placement to give his side the lead.
Four minutes later, Benny XI should have further extended their lead when this time Manthan set up Nikesh but the latter’s placement was blocked by keeper Priyesh with his leg.
Trailing by a goal, Colvale fought gallantly and came twice to levelling terms.
Frist, In the 20th minute, Shaikh Sattan’s 25-yard shot was paired away for a corner by keeper Vinesh Shirodkar, while Sattyam Gawas was thwarted by the Benny keeper in one-to-one situation.
On resumption of play, Colvale were camped inside the Benny’s territory in search of the equaliser.
Finally the goal which came in the 75th minute sent the supporters into raptures.
A cross by Shahish at the far post saw Pranav head the ball on target to find Benny defender Shailesh Miskin head the ball into his own goal in the process instead of clearing it.
However, Colvale’s joy lasted only for just five minutes when Benny’s Manthan was fouled just on top of the penalty box by Pranav.
Referee awarded a direct free-kick which was superbly curled past the defensive Colvale wall by Benny’s skipper Oswin Gouveia to make it 2-1.
Oswin Gouveia of Benny XI received the man-of-the-match award.
